Tenth Annual Symposium on Translational Research in Molecular Pathology

The Big 10: From Theory to Mainstream in Personalized Healthcare

Keynote Lecture

Discovery of nitric oxide and cyclic AMP in cell signaling and their role in drug development

Ferid Murad, M.D., Ph.D.
Nobel Laureate
University Professor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
The George Washington University
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Recipient of 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Member of the National Academy of Sciences

Dr. Ferid Murad is currently a University Professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Murad received his undergraduate degree in chemistry from DePauw University, and MD and Ph.D. degrees from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Murad has served as a faculty member at the University of Virginia (1970-81), Stanford University (1981-88), Northwestern University (1988) and the University of Texas Medical School at Houston (1997-2011). While at Stanford he ventured into the private sector as a vice president of Abbott Laboratories (1988–92) and then became president of the Molecular Geriatrics Corporation (1993–95).

Dr. Murad's key research demonstrated that nitroglycerin and related drugs worked by releasing nitric oxide into the body, which relaxed smooth muscle by elevating intracellular cyclic GMP. These discoveries led to the development of the anti-impotence drug sildenafil citrate (Viagra) and had the potential to unlock new approaches for understanding and treating other diseases.

In 1996, Dr. Murad received Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award for his discovery. He also received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Drs. Robert F. Furchgott and Louis J. Ignarro in 1998.

For more information or sponsorship of this event, please email Melinda Tillman or call her at 410-706-6300.

Directions

From Washington, D.C. and Points South via I-95: From I-95 take Route 395 (downtown Baltimore) and exit onto Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., staying in right lane. At the fourth traffic light, turn right onto Baltimore St. Turn left at the second traffic light onto Paca Street. The Baltimore Grand Garage is immediately on the right.

Via I-295N (Baltimore-Washington Parkway): As the Parkway enters Baltimore, it briefly becomes Russell St., and then Paca St. Continue north to the intersection of Paca and Baltimore Streets, where you will see the Baltimore Grand Garage on the right.

From Annapolis and Southern Maryland: Follow Route 50E to 1-97N to 695W (Baltimore Beltway) to 1-295N (Baltimore-Washington Parkway), and follow directions from points south via I-295N.

From the East: Take I-95S to Route 395 (downtown Baltimore) and follow directions from points south via I-95. OR
Take 695W (Baltimore Beltway) to I-83S; follow I-83 to its end. You will be on President Street. Go to the third traffic light and turn right onto Lombard Street. Continue about 1 mile and turn right onto Paca St. The Baltimore Grand Garage is two blocks north on the right.

From the North: Follow I-83S (Harrisburg Expressway) to its end in downtown Baltimore. Follow I-83 directions above.

From the Northeast: The campus is accessible from I-95S to either 395 (downtown Baltimore), and follow directions from points south via I-95, or 695W (Baltimore Beltway) to I-83S. Follow I-83 directions above.

From the West: Take 1-170E to 695S to I-95N. From I-95, take Route 395 and follow directions from points south via I-95.